We are excited to share details about an upcoming symposium at the University of Twente entitled “Blurring the Boundaries: Reflecting on Artistic-Led Research on Designing Human-Technology Entanglements”. Considering the theme of human-technology entanglements throughout daily life, and what the role of AI could be in this, it might also be interesting from the perspective of Stress in Action.

Digital information technologies are becoming intimately woven into our daily lives. Developments in sensor technology and material sciences mean that wearables, high-tech garments, smart objects, and assistive technologies are integrated into our environments and on our bodies. This merging of cyber and physical worlds, combined with advances in Artificial Intelligence prompts new questions about what it means to be human in a society where people and digital technologies are closely connected. In this symposium, we are engaging with how technological advancements reshape our concepts of identity, connection, and the human experience. We will reflect on how embodied and artistic design approaches can contribute to developing these often AI-enabled human-technology entanglements. We will explore conceptual questions surrounding human-technology relations and ‘agentic technology’—from human vulnerability and personal identity to empathy, diversity, and the potential for human-technology partnership.

The event will also feature results from the DiscReTe project (Disconnections and Relationships mediated through Intimate Technologies), where we developed a conceptual wearable prototype through dance. By collaborating with dancers and their embodied ways of engaging with the world, we created a wearable that facilitates nuanced communication, boundary-setting, and interaction management for individuals with diverse communication needs. Contributions from multiple disciplines will enrich our discussions throughout the day.

Programme Highlights

• Keynote Speakers and expert talks on human-technology relations
• Interactive Workshops that invite exploration of philosophical concepts and embodied design approaches
• Panel Discussion on the value of embodied and performative design approaches
• Dance Performance at the end of the day to experience the developed wearable demonstrator through an artistic interpretation, followed by a live discussion with performers, researchers, and the audience

 Programme and registration can be found on the website.